Cooking a Frozen Turkey Without Thawing (USDA Times)
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Forgot to thaw the turkey? The USDA says it is safe to cook a turkey from the frozen state. The catch is time: it takes at least 50% longer than a fully thawed turkey.
Roasting times from frozen at 325 °F
These are the USDA's unstuffed thawed times multiplied by 1.5. Because the USDA says "at least" 50% longer, treat them as a minimum and rely on the thermometer.
| Turkey weight | Thawed, unstuffed (USDA) | From frozen, at least |
|---|---|---|
| 8 to 12 lb | 2¾ to 3 hours | 4 h 08 min to 4 h 30 min |
| 12 to 14 lb | 3 to 3¾ hours | 4 h 30 min to 5 h 38 min |
| 14 to 18 lb | 3¾ to 4¼ hours | 5 h 38 min to 6 h 23 min |
| 18 to 20 lb | 4¼ to 4½ hours | 6 h 23 min to 6 h 45 min |
| 20 to 24 lb | 4½ to 5 hours | 6 h 45 min to 7 h 30 min |
The math: each USDA time × 1.5. Example: 4¼ hours × 1.5 = 6⅜ hours = 6 h 23 min.
For stuffing, the USDA's advice for any turkey is to cook it separately in a dish.
The giblets
A frozen turkey still has the giblet pack inside. The USDA says to remove the giblet packages during the cooking time, carefully, with tongs or a fork.
When it's done
Same as any turkey: a food thermometer must read at least 165 °F in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. Then let it stand 20 minutes before carving.
Frozen pre-stuffed turkeys
These are different. The USDA says to buy only frozen pre-stuffed turkeys that carry the USDA or state mark of inspection, and not to thaw them: cook them from frozen, following the package directions. Allow 1¼ lb per person.
Planning around it
The turkey planner has a "cook it from frozen" option that works back from your mealtime using the longer of these times. For thawing times, see how long to thaw a turkey.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Let's Talk Turkey: A Consumer Guide to Safely Roasting a Turkey.